Our partners at Consumer Reports Magazine found problems with several small kitchen appliances after testing thousands.

First on their list: the $200Krups Convection Toaster Oven. When testers set the oven to toast on its darkest setting, the display just quit at about the two-minute mark.

"It happened with all four of the Krups toaster ovens Consumer Reports tested,” said tester Dan DiClerico. “Now the units did eventually turn off and finish their cycle, so it's not a safety issue, but we do think it's no way to start your morning."

"For $2,000 you'd expect the best, but we found some major issues with the food processor attachment," DiClerico said.

With the first Cooking Chef, the food processor blade kept spinning for nine seconds after lifting the lid. The exposed slicing disc had enough power to cut through this carrot.

The plastic hub on a slicing disc broke, then one of the screws at the bottom of the drive shaft assembly sheared off.

Finally, Consumer Reports tested the $90 Two Way FlexBrew Coffeemaker from Hamilton Beach. They say it poses a safety risk.

The problem is even if you are just using the single-serve side, the hot plate for the carafe side still gets hot. A "Hot" warning label does turn red, but if the carafe is not on the hot plate and you reach for the single-serve cup, you could brush the hot plate and get burned. It's almost 400 degrees.

"Our data shows that many appliances are actually lasting longer and performing better, but if you do spot a problem, notify Consumer Reports as well as the Consumer Product Safety Commission," DiClerico said.

Consumer Reports contacted Hamilton Beach about its design. The company said its 2-Way FlexBrew coffeemaker is safe, that it has sold more than 91,000 of them and has received no reports of burns from the warming plate. However, the company says it will give a refund to anyone who asks for one.

As for the $2,000 Kenwood mixer, the company says it has a replacement part, but Consumer Reports was not able to find it.

____________________

Don't Waste Your Money is a registered trademark of the EW Scripps Co.